April 19, 2015

I'm so excited to go on theNewport Harbor Home
and Garden Tourcoming up on
May 14th. It’s
always a fun day, and this year, they will be showing seven homes! The day starts with the morning
reception atGreenleaf
Gourmet Chopshopfor a little
brunch. Then we are able to
start touring the homes. I
always enjoy the diversity of the homes shown on the tour, and I especially
love seeing the kitchens and dining areas all dressed up. In between viewing all the
homes, we stop to enjoy ayummy
lunchand browse the boutique with
gorgeous views overlooking Newport Harbor. After lunch, we finish touring the
rest of the homes and conclude the day with an afternoon champagne reception
hosted atBarclay
Butera Interiors.Their
Newport Beach showroom is always a treat to visit, and it’s really a lovely way
to end the day! Will you
make it to thehome tourthis year? Here is a peek at some of my favorite kitchens and dining areas from past years...

April 17, 2015

Create
a vignette in your home that speaks to your guests when they arrive through
your front door. What style do you want
to convey to your friends? Are you an understated
sort or do you feel playful and girly? Change
it up as the seasons change or as your mood changes. The entry or foyer of your
home is the perfect spot to put together a few of your favorite things that
describe who you are!

"Use small plants where you can see them up close.Even the
tiniest touch of green can make a big impact when used in the right spot.
Consider using an outdoor coffee or dining table to showcase your favorite
small specimens of succulents or a miniature fairy garden — it’s sure to be a
conversation starter."-- Camille Beehler

April 15, 2015

Timothy Oulton’s distinctive style is definitely dramatic.He is a designer known for over-scaled
comfortable pieces.Maps, flags, stacked
books and unique lighting are some of his signature trademarks.It’s a sort of edgy beatnik style meets cool British mod style that
fits into the 21st century perfectly.For a closer look at these fun furnishings,
visit Timothy Oulton at one of his many locations.Here in OC, we have a showroom in Costa Mesa at HD Buttercup in SoCo. You'll be inspired!

This mid-western
home would fit in perfectly here in California.
It’s light and airy and fun! The colorful accessories add life to the neutral
background colors of the upholstered pieces, walls and floors.

It’s
so easy to change the look and feel of a room when you can easily switch out pillows,
throws and collectables. I really like
how the homeowner, Wendy Brown mixes and matches patterns and colors. She has a great eye for design, and I love
that she exhibits a sense of history in her rooms. Her love for tradition has overflowed into
her business with the desire to keep the art of hand-written notes alive.Her company Brown Ink is a charming paper
company that offers pretty stationary, journals and writing implements.

Don’t
you love getting a handwritten card or letter from a friend?

Back
to the décor….

Favorite
collections add a pop of color and personalize this vignette.

The
vegetable garden and beautiful shed are interactive additions to the yard. The family spends quality time here planting
and harvesting goodies. Just inside the garden,

Wendy’s home office is small, but there is room for everything that
matters! The long butcher block desk surface spans the length of the room and is centered in front of this bright and cheerful window. Again, color is added with accessories.